Final Call: Last Week Left to Submit to Artist of the Year Award 2026

If you have been thinking about submitting your work to Artist Of The Year 2026, now is the time to make it happen. With the November 15 deadline just around the corner, there are only a few days left for artists to become part of this year’s edition of the annual publishing project by Arts to Hearts Project.

Earlier this year, we opened submissions with an invitation to artists from around the world to share their work, their ideas, and the creative practices they have been building. Since then, we have been looking forward to discovering the artists who will make up this year’s collection.

Now, as the deadline approaches, we want to remind you that there is still time to participate. Whether you are an emerging artist developing your voice or an established creative with years of experience, this is an opportunity to put your work forward, reach new audiences, and become part of a publication celebrating contemporary art.

If you have been waiting for the right moment to apply, consider this your final reminder!

A Chance to Be Among 100 Featured Artists

Artist Of The Year is an annual initiative by Arts to Hearts Project that brings together 100 selected artists in a hardcover collectible book. Every edition celebrates artists working across different mediums, subjects, and creative approaches, creating a publication that reflects the variety of contemporary art being made today.

Being selected means more than having your artwork included in a book. It gives you a dedicated space to introduce your practice, share your work with new audiences, and become part of a growing collection of artists whose work deserves to be seen and remembered.

For the 2026 edition, the selection process will be guided by Guest Curator Jennifer Rizzo, curator, writer, and partner at Hashimoto Contemporary in Brooklyn, New York.

This year’s theme is Open, which means artists are not expected to work within a particular subject or artistic direction. Instead, we want to see work that reflects your individual perspective, creative interests, and artistic journey.

What Selected Artists Will Receive

One of the most exciting parts of Artist Of The Year is the opportunity to have your work featured in a professionally designed hardcover publication.

All 100 selected artists will receive:

• Two-Page Dedicated Spread: A professionally designed two-page feature showcasing your artwork and artist profile.
• Official Certificate of Recognition: Recognition of your selection for Artist Of The Year 2026.
• Community Promotion: Exposure through Arts to Hearts Project’s community of more than 200,000 followers.
• Email Promotion: An opportunity to have your work featured in the Arts to Hearts Project newsletter.
• International Book Distribution: The publication will be available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the Arts to Hearts Project Shop.

The publication is also a way to document your creative journey and have your work become part of a collection that artists and readers can revisit over the years.

The Top Three Artists Will Receive Additional Recognition

Beyond the 100 artists selected for the book, three artists will receive special recognition for their work.

The Winner, First Runner-Up, and Second Runner-Up will each receive a dedicated four-page feature in the publication, a trophy, a certificate of recognition, a dedicated promotional feature, and an Artsy artist listing through Arts to Hearts Project.

The overall winner will also receive a $500 cash prize.

These additional opportunities offer artists another way to share their work, strengthen their professional presence, and introduce their practices to a wider art audience.

Is Your Work Eligible?

If you are wondering whether your practice is the right fit, the good news is that this year’s open theme welcomes a wide range of artistic approaches.

Here is what you need to know before submitting:

Who Can Apply?

• Artists aged 18 and above.
• Artists from anywhere in the world.
• Emerging, mid-career, and established artists.
• Artists working professionally, independently, or through a personal art practice.
• Individual artists.

You do not need to have an established gallery career, an extensive exhibition history, or years of professional experience to participate.

What Kind of Artwork Can You Submit?

The call welcomes a variety of visual art mediums, including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, printmaking, textiles, collage, mixed media, digital art, installation, ceramics, fiber art, conceptual art, and experimental practices.

There are no restrictions on subject matter, style, or medium. Whether your work is abstract, figurative, representational, conceptual, or experimental, we would love to see what you have been creating.

There are, however, a few important requirements:

• Your submission must be original work created by you.
• Artwork must be submitted as a high-resolution digital image.
• Your work must be available for publication if selected.
• All artwork details and artist information should be accurate.
• AI-generated artwork is not eligible for this edition.

Previously exhibited, published, or publicly displayed work is welcome, provided you hold the necessary rights to the artwork.

A Few Things to Do Before You Submit

With the deadline approaching, this is a good time to gather your materials and prepare your application rather than leaving everything until the last minute.

Here are a few things worth checking before completing your submission:

1. Choose Artwork That Represents Your Practice

You do not need to create an entirely new piece for this opportunity. Look through your existing body of work and choose something that reflects your artistic interests, ideas, and creative direction.

2. Prepare High-Resolution Images

Make sure your artwork photographs are clear and suitable for publication. A good-quality image allows the selection team to appreciate the details, colours, and overall presentation of your work.

3. Review Your Artist Information

Take a moment to check your artist profile and artwork details. Make sure your information is accurate and gives a clear introduction to your practice.

4. Complete Your Application Before the Deadline

Do not wait until the final hours to submit. Give yourself enough time to review your application and make sure everything is in order before sending it through the official submission form.

The Deadline Is November 15, 2026

We are now in the final days of submissions for Artist Of The Year 2026, and we would hate for an artist who has been considering this opportunity to miss it simply because they kept putting off their application.

Sometimes, sharing your work with a new audience can feel like a big step. You might wonder whether your practice is ready, whether your work is the right fit, or whether this is the right opportunity for you. But you do not need to have everything figured out to put your work forward.

If you are an artist who has been creating, experimenting, exploring new ideas, and developing a practice of your own, we encourage you to take this opportunity seriously.

Submissions close on November 15, 2026.

We are excited to discover the 100 artists who will become part of this year’s collection, and we look forward to seeing the many different creative voices that make up the contemporary art world.

If you have been waiting for a sign to share your work, this is it. Do not let the deadline pass without giving your art the opportunity to be seen.